Search - William Sterndale Bennett, Nicholas Braithwaite, London Philharmonic Orchestra :: Bennett: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 3; Caprice

"Sterndale Bennett wrote six piano concertos during his late teens and early twenties. Each work was written for the composer himself to play, and he must have been a formidable technician, since the piano part often sounds very difficult indeed. Each work has its own distinct character, and though the musical material doesn't ever reach the highest level, it is always developed with imagination and ingenuity so that interest never slackens ... Binns responds whole-heartedly and very sympathetically, and with his usual brilliant technique." -- GramophoneWilliam Sterndale Bennett (1816-1875) was an Early Romantic British composer much under the influence of Mendelssohn. Neglected until recently, Bennett's music is full of lyrical beauty and intensity, and deserves revival. 2006 marked Malcolm Binns's seventieth birthday, and also his fiftieth anniversary as a performer. His distinguished career marks him as one of the finest British pianists of modern times. He is renowned for his flawless technique, in which is found a joyous balance between virtuosity, power, and musical finesse. Malcolm Binns is a noted authority on British piano music, and has been influential in the William Sterndale Bennett revival. Born in London, Nicholas Braithwaite has been a frequent guest conductor for all the major orchestras in the UK, both in concert and on record. He has toured Japan and Korea with the London Philharmonic Orchestra as Associate Conductor to Sir Georg Solti. His recording of Wordsworth's Symphonies No. 2 & 3 with the London Philharmonic Orchestra won a 1991 Record of the Year Award from Gramophone, and his recording of Flute Concertos with Alexa Still and the New Zealand Chamber Orchestra was nominated for a 1992 Grammy in the US.